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T O P I C R E V I E W

alexbaja

Recently I came across this Certificate of Appreciation for Aquarius Apollo XIII European Goodwill mission. It also included a Name Tag, Mission Badge and a Times of Malta picture of the three astronauts entering Valletta.

I made some local research, I found out that the person mentioned on this certificate Mr. Fredrick Bristow was Chief Security for the astronauts visit to Malta.

I would like to know if anybody ever came across such certificates and also were these hand signed by the three astronauts or are they just prints. The certificate seems to be on wax paper which yellowed with age.

alexbaja

From a high magnification inspection these signature's do not seem to be print as I could trace the pen stroke on certain overlapping points.

On further investigation I tried to see if they were autopen but as well on the samples provided on the online Astronaut Autopen Guide there was no match.

Please I would like to ask some opinion on this subject.

alexbaja

chet

The three autographs are almost certainly pre-printed, reproduced signatures; there appears to be no discernible variation of ink flow or pressure in any of the signatures.

alexbaja

Thanks Chet for taking your time to inspect the signatures, it does not really matter that it is a print but If the signatures were original that would have been an added bonus.

The rarity of this certificate makes it all so special to me especially when it involved part of our history of this tiny Island of Malta, this event reminds me so much of my childhood.

chet

You're welcome, and I agree, the certificate is a nice item on its own, and especially so if it evokes nice memories.

alexbaja

Finally got all the memorabilia framed. The certificate and photo where border framed whilst all the other items like the mission patch, button badge, pin badge, name tag and flags are all floating.